No matter how near or far you are from home, a recommendation for a good restaurant or bar is always nice to have.  EATS is a collection of places that I’ve enjoyed during my travels.

Flat Iron
This has become one of my new favorite spots in London that I vow to tell everyone who will listen about.  Before there was Flat Iron, steak at restaurants was typically viewed as something for special occasions, so founder Charlie Carrroll set out to create a place where high-quality steak at an affordable price was available to everyone and anyone.  Since 2012 the restaurant has grown to 18 locations and counting throughout London, including one of its newest near Victoria Station where we ate.  Upon arrival we were escorted to a second-floor table near a sunny window overlooking the bustling street below.  We munched on a cup of popcorn as we got to business, scanning the simple and to the point menu featuring a handful of sides and sauces to accompany your steak. Soon after ordering wine and beer, our steaks were presented to us on a wooden board alongside beef dripping chips, a green salad and roasted aubergine.  Everything was cooked to perfection, and when we were done, we were presented with a small meat cleaver token that we could redeem for homemade vanilla soft serve on our way out.  The service was warm and friendly too, making for an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Flat Iron, various locations, flatironsteak.co.uk

Old Bank of England
We were looking for a hip pub with a fun history and the Old Bank of England checked both boxes.  Once the Law Court’s branch of the Bank of England that operated at this location on Fleet Street from 1888 to 1975, the aptly named Old Bank of England boast a stunning interior of high ceilings, ornate staircases, lights and décor.  We were surprised just how packed it was in the early dinnertime hours on a weeknight with people filling every table and available nook and cranny around the central bar area.  Since it was our last pub of the trip I went all in and ordered the Blade of Beef & Ale Pie, loaded with extra vegetables on the side, while my husband ordered the Wagyu Burger with chips.  While the presentation was lovely, the food itself seemed as if it was premade (sadly this now seems like the norm for many chain-owned pubs).  Nonetheless, we enjoyed the ambiance and spectacle of people watching that we were able to overlook the mediocracy of our meal, and wouldn’t pass it up in the future for a pint at the bar.

Old Bank of England, 194 Fleet Street, +44 20 7430 2255, mcmullens.co.uk

Pizza Pilgrims
I first discovered Pizza Pilgrims in 2019, writing about it in a previous version of EATS, and have been thinking about it ever since as both an affordable AND delicious pizza option in London.  What’s even better is there are now around 20 locations throughout the city, plus more in other areas of the UK.  The story goes like this, back in 2012 founders Thom and James set out on a quest to learn everything there is to know about the art of pizza making, which took them all the way to Italy and back.  The result is delicious Neapolitan pizzas in a vibrant and fun environment.  Great for families, groups, dates or other gatherings, we were not disappointed during a repeat visit when we ordered a classic Margherita and the veggie lover’s so-called Pizza Love (available with or without mozzarella), along with Cacio e Pepe Balls (a bit on the heavy side) and a delightful Rocket Salad.  A good and solid spot for pizza, it was just as “chef’s kiss” good as we had expected it to be.

Pizza Pilgrims, various locations, pizzapilgrims.co.uk

Borough Market
Hands down my favorite place for lunch in London is the Borough Market.  It’s one of the largest and oldest food markets in London dating as far back as 1014 and inhabiting its current location since 1756.  Here you’ll find more than 100 stalls selling every type of food and drink imaginable.  My recommendation is take a pass through first to try and take it all in before making your decision (warning: you may discover that your eyes are bigger than your stomach).  On a most recent trip we sampled the likes of a colorful falafel salad from Nana Fanny’s Salt Beef & Falafel, a Moo & Blue pie from Pieminister, fresh fruit juices and more delicious baked sweets than we care to admit.  It’s a must visit every time I’m in London, and I guarantee no 2 experiences will be the same.

Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, +44 20 7407 1002, boroughmarket.org.uk

Soft Serve Society
Who doesn’t love soft serve?  Located in the Seven Dials Market near Covent Garden, Soft Serve Society is the perfect afternoon treat between museums and shopping in the area.  Choose from decadent sundae cups like Oh Snap! (affogato, caramel, cookie crumbs, oh my!), over-the-top Freakshakes, bubble teas and more, or make your own soft serve cup or cone with options ranging from basic vanilla soft serve to the more adventurous matcha or charcoal coconut.

Soft Serve Society, 35 Earlham Street, softservesociety.com

The Buttery
The former breakfast room at my go-to place to stay in London’s Belgravia neighborhood, the Lime Tree Hotel, has been transformed to an all-day café open to guests and the public alike.  With the same cute-as-a-button aesthetic as the hotel, The Buttery offers a delicious way to start the day from its small but varied menu (albeit a bit on the price side).  The coffee was good and the service was warm as we enjoyed hearty dishes like the Avocado Benedict, American Pancake Stack and rich Nutella French Toast.  Not being an eggs person, I opted for the Vegan Breakfast, which surprises and delights with an assortment of items including avocado, chickpeas, spinach, beans, roasted potatoes and more.  Brunch/lunch and drinks are also available later in the day, which can be enjoyed inside or in the “secret garden” in the back.  Bookings are recommended if you want to guarantee a table.

The Buttery, 135-137 Ebury Street, +44 20 7730 8191, limetreehotel.co.uk

TomTom Coffee House
Across the street from the Lime Tree is the equally adorable storefront of TomTom Coffeehouse.  It’s a good place to see and be seen from an outside table on the corner of Ebury and Elzabeth Street in Belgravia as you sip on artisanal coffee.  There’s very limited seating inside of only a couple of tables, where we enjoyed an Acai Bowl, Pancakes and the savory Turkish Eggs on another morning of our trip.  Many people also seemed to pop in for a quick coffee to go, but the tables outside seemed to fill up and stay occupied throughout the day.

TomTom Coffee House, 114 Ebury Street, +44 20 7730 1771, tomtomcoffee.co.uk

For more London EATS click here, here and here.